PALANQUINS & PALMS

Seriously Stylish Honeymoon to Rajasthan & the Maldives

Delhi & Around, Maldives, Rajasthan

Duration: 13 nights

Price: From £8,900 per person in low season based on two adults travelling together and including all flights in economy class, accommodation, some meals, private transfers, train journeys, transportation by private jeep on game drives, experiences as stated and taxes

If you’re on the lookout for a luxury honeymoon which combines cultural curiosity with beach relaxation, this holiday to northern India and the Maldives ticks both boxes. Beginning in Rajasthan’s capital Jaipur, you’ll head to the peaceful country village of Ajabgar, spot tigers and crocodiles in Ranthambore, and visit probably the most romantic building in the world, the Taj Mahal. After a flying visit to the Indian capital, Delhi, you’ll fly to the Maldives for some sun, sea and sand – the perfect way to end your luxury honeymoon.

Itinerary details

2 nightsJAIPUR

Your luxury honeymoon begins in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of its most evocative cities. Named the ‘Pink City’ – both for its red sandstone and the lick of pink paint it was given to honour a visit from the Prince of Wales in 1876 – Jaipur is as fascinating as it is eye-catching. Its bustling bazaars are a great place to pick up a souvenir in the form of one of the city’s famous handicrafts – specialities include leatherwork, stone carving and wooden puppets. Jaipur’s Amber Fort, a marble-and-sandstone monster with beautifully ornate carvings, is the area’s most famous attraction, with the City Palace and Palace of the Winds also worth checking out. Your hotel, Sujan Rajhmahal Palace, is a palatial property with 250 years of history; a tour of Jaipur in one of the hotel’s vintage cars is an unforgettable way to get to know the city.

3 nightsAJABGARH

Departing Jaipur after 2 nights, you’ll be taken by private transfer to your next stop, Ajabgarh – a journey of around 2 hours. Your home for the next 3 nights is Amanbagh, a regal, pink-hued hotel inspired by Mughal architecture and set in lush tropical gardens. Ajabgarh is a quiet village in the Rajasthani countryside and the home of the Meena people, whose rich traditional culture has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The Meena are famous for their brightly coloured dress and their handicrafts and jewellery, which would make for a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your honeymoon. Your hotel sits on the shores of the serene Jai Sagar Lake; a trip on a traditional shikara boat is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Another option is the sunset Cow Dust Tour, which will take you through local villages at the beautiful time of day when sunset mixes with the dust thrown up by the cows being brought home

2 nightsRANTHAMBORE

The next stop on your honeymoon adventure is Ranthambore National Park, around 3 hours by private road transfer. A huge area of jungle-covered wilderness, Ranthambore is one of the best places in India to see tigers in their natural habitat, and leopards, hyenas and sloth bears are among the other animals who live here. You’ll spend 2 nights at Sher Bagh, a luxury tented camp on the edge of the park and a perfect base for guided game drives to spot tigers and other animals. Cultural attractions nearby include the mighty Ranthambore Fort, which dates from the 8th century and has played host to conquering Sultanates, Rajputs and Mughals over its long history; the fort is also home to an important temple to Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of Hinduism. From the side of the park, the fort provides a picturesque backdrop to the tigers’ territory.

1 nightAGRA

After 2 nights exploring Ranthambore at Sher Bagh, you’ll travel by private road transfer (5.5hrs) to Agra, home to one of the most famous and romantic sights anywhere on the planet: the Taj Mahal. Built in the mid-17th century by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in tribute to his wife, the Taj is known worldwide as a symbol of beauty and love. The great poet Rabindranath Tagore described it as “the teardrop on the cheek of time,” and, while you’ll have seen it in a thousand pictures and films, nothing quite prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes for the first time. Your hotel, the luxurious Oberoi Amarvilas, is an opulent property which features uninterrupted views of the Taj from each of its grand rooms and suites.

1 nightDELHI

The next stop on your journey is India’s capital, Delhi, which you’ll reach by boarding a train – in itself an icon of India – for a journey of around 4 hours from Agra. Delhi is an endlessly fascinating city, by turns chaotic, colourful and mysterious; there are maze-like streets, strange souks and buzzing bazaars everywhere you look, and a seemingly endless list of cultural and historical attractions. These include the newly-built Akshardham Temple, an extravagant Hindu mandir; Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture; and the Qutb Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. When you’ve had enough of sightseeing, Lodi Gardens are a beautiful place to relax or go for a quiet stroll, and is home to the tombs of several of the Sultans of Delhi. You’ll spend the night at Leela Palace, an elegant luxury hotel in the heart of the city.

4 nightsMALDIVES

The final leg of your journey will see you boarding a flight to the Maldives, where you’ll spend 4 nights at the luxurious Six Senses Laamu. Nestled in tropical forest on the remote Laamu Atoll, this is a beautiful collection of beach villas which are perfect for being as lazy or as active as you please. Laamu is surrounded by life-rich coral reef, and the interesting and colourful marine life which you can spot on a diving or snorkelling trip includes parrotfish, oriental sweetlips, and green turtles. A range of water sports is on offer, including surfing, wakeboarding and wind surfing, and the variety of available excursions includes island hopping and a private picnic on a desert island. Alternatively, you can simply put your feet up and relax on the beach or at the resort’s luxurious spa. After 4 nights on Laamu, your luxury honeymoon reaches its end, and you’ll fly home.

All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. Book with Confidence. We are a member of ABTA (ABTA No. Y6561) which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide full financial protection for your money.

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